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About the Job
The safety of pilots and aircrew is one of the most important aspects of the Air Force. That's what makes the Aircraft Safety Equipment Maintainer a vital role within the Air Force, as it's their responsibility to make sure aircraft safety equipment is in full operational order. Whether it's conducting maintenance on aircraft safety systems, or training pilots and aircrew on the proper use of equipment - it's up to them to ensure pilots and aircrew can safely complete their missions.
What you'll do
You'll be fitting and maintaining life support and survival equipment in state-of-the-art military aircraft, and training pilots and aircrew on proper procedures. The day-to-day can be broken down into three main areas:
Maintaining life support equipment within an aircraft, such as:
- Life rafts
- Fire extinguishers
- Parachutes
- Thermal, acoustic equipment and aircraft fabric components
Maintaining life support equipment worn by aircrew, such as:
- Ballistic vests
- Heads up displays and cueing systems
- Night vision goggles
- Helmets
- Oxygen masks
- Anti-G suits
- Immersion suits
- Survival vests and radios
- Aircrew, biological & chemical protection systems
Training Aircrew on:
- The proper use of safety equipment
- How to handle explosive Ordnance, Pyrotechnics, Firearms and Life Support Equipment
- Survival techniques
Training and Career progression
There is plenty of room to progress in this role - how far you go is up to you. We'll train you from the ground up, teaching you everything you need to excel in your career during your Initial Employment Training (IET), with ongoing training as you progress. You'll also be fully paid to earn a nationally recognised qualification that will arm you with invaluable skills, knowledge, and the confidence to train others.
Further in your career you'll have the opportunity to specialize as a Search, Evade, Resist, Escape (SERE) Instructor or an Explosive Ordnance Supervisor.
Essentially, we'll provide you with all the training you need, all you need to bring is your ambition.
Additional Information
This is a role that is crucial for all aspects of Defence when there are aircraft involved. It's one of the few roles where you will be given the opportunity to work closely with the Navy, Army, other foreign forces, and civilian emergency services. Essentially, where there are military aircraft, you'll find an Aircraft Safety Equipment Maintainer close by.
It's a highly dynamic role that will open you up to a world of exciting experiences, like travelling around Australia and the world.
This is your opportunity to become an indispensable part of the Air Force with no shortage of exciting opportunities and career progression. No other organisation will give you the chance to work with the world's leading aircraft and become a part of a tight-knit team that serves the community. We'll push you further so you can become the absolute best you can be.
In-service Information
In the Air Force this role is known as an Aeronautical Life Support Fitter (ALSFITT).
Other Ranks - Technical
Join the ADF and receive full trade training
Key Information
Preparing for Your Recruitment Process
This document provides information that will assist applicants for roles in the Navy, Army and Air Force, including details about the recruitment process, how to prepare yourself for assessment, and what to expect if you are successful in joining the Australian Defence Force.
National Qualifications
- Certificate IV In Aeronautical Life Support Equipment.
- Enterprise Trainer and Assessor.
- Workplace Health and Safety.
Salary & Allowances
In the Air Force you'll get paid a good salary from day one regardless of your age, experience or qualifications; and your pay increases as you progress through training.
In addition to your salary you'll receive a variety of allowances, extra pay for relevant qualifications – plus 16.4% superannuation, a far higher rate than you're likely to find in the civilian world.
For more details download our
Salary Scales.
Locations
Primary Base Locations (you may likely be posted to one of these)
- Edinburgh, Richmond, Holsworthy, Williamtown, Amberley, Townsville, Darwin and Tindal.
Secondary Base Locations (you may be posted to one of these)
- Nowra
Requirements
Age
Applicants must be aged between 17 and 53 years of age inclusive on entry.
Applicants will not be allowed to enter the ADF until they achieve a minimum of 17 years of age, however they may be able to initiate the application process from 16 years and six months of age.
Education & Experience
It is essential that the applicant has completed Year 10 with passes in English, Maths and Science.
Medical & Fitness
To be enlisted or appointed, you must be medically and physically fit for entry to your chosen occupation. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You will also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment before appointment.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards refer to Physical Fitness Standards for Entry into the ADF and Medical Process for Entry into the ADF.
Period of Service
You will be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of six years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation.
Additional Requirements
Licence Requirements:
At a minimum, candidates must hold a valid Australian State or Territory provisional/probationary C Class Drivers Licence upon enlistment/appointment. Candidates with suspended or cancelled licences will not be eligible to join until the suspension or cancellation has been lifted or has expired.
Aptitude
The Job Opportunities Assessment (JOA) is completed as part of the application process to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Some jobs may also require you to complete a further evaluation at a later date.
The JOA is used by Defence to establish suitability for ADF entry, and then identify jobs that best match your abilities.
Further information about the JOA can be found in the Guide to the Job Opportunities Assessment for the ADF.
To get a feel for the types of questions that are used in the Job Opportunities Assessment and how they will look on your screen some examples can be found in the Job Opportunities Assessment Example Questions.
Citizenship
Only Australian citizens are permitted to serve in the Defence Force.
If you are a permanent resident of Australia, the Defence Force may consider a temporary waiver of the citizenship requirement if the position for which you are applying cannot be filled by an applicant who meets all citizenship requirements, and then only in exceptional circumstances.
You will be required to obtain Australian citizenship as early as possible following enlistment or appointment.
Find out more in our Citizenship page or ask your local ADF Careers Centre.
Security Requirements
The Department of Defence requires ADF employees to have a security clearance appropriate to their employment.
A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and if required, interviews, enables the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) to make an informed assessment of an applicant's suitability for a security clearance.
The minimum security clearance level required is Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1), and current policy requires applicants to have a checkable background for the previous 10 years.
This means applicants must provide credible referees (non-family members) who are able to provide information about the applicant covering an extended period of time. Required information for an NV1 includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Residence
- Employment
- Education
- Financial information
- Travel
Some ADF jobs may require a higher level of security clearance such as Negative Vetting Level 2 (NV2) or Positive Vetting (PV). Your individual circumstances will determine the number and complexity of the questions and the supporting documents required for these levels.
Australian Citizenship is a requirement for a security clearance and a clearance will only be granted to a non-citizen in exceptional circumstances.
The security clearance is critical to an applicant's successful progression through the recruiting process. It is strongly recommended that all applicants action the Security Clearance Package (ePack) and provide the required documentation without delay to provide the best opportunity to commence training and be employed in their preferred employment category.
For more detailed information on the security vetting process and specific clearance level requirements set by AGSVA, please refer to the AGSVA website.
Support will be provided by DFR during the initial application process.
Training
Military Training
Location: RAAF Base Wagga, NSW
Duration: 9 weeks
During this training you will transition from civilian to Service life, acquiring the basic knowledge, skills and physical fitness required for your role; and learning to become an effective and productive member of the Air Force.
Follow the link to learn more about what to expect at No. 1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU)
Employment Training
Duration: 31 weeks.
The Air Force Aircraft Life Support Fitter IET (213416) P115374 is a multi-stage course consisting of the following;
- 48 Days - Aerospace Technical Trade Core Skills,
- 03 Days - Aviation Medicine for ALSFITT,
- 86 Days - ADF Life Support Fitter Common, and
- 19 Days - Air Force ALSFITT
Location: RAAF School of Technical Training, RAAF Base Wagga, NSW.
This course is designed to provide training in all of the basic handskills required to remove/install and maintain Aircraft Life Support equipment utilised by aircrew or fitted to aircraft. The course also provides substantial training in the operation of industrial sewing machines and how to present a brief to an audience. Additionally, this course provides information relating to Occupational Health and Safety issues and technical administration procedures relevant to Aircraft Safety Equipment Maintenance duties and the workplace.
On completion of this training, trainees graduate as Aeronautical Life Support Fitter Grade 1 (ALSFITT1) Pay Group 3 and are then posted to an air base to undergo on the job training.
Further Training
Fitter Progression.
Having completed basic recruit training and the Aircraft Safety Equipment Maintainer training, a minimum period of 12 months is required for the consolidation of training and experience before trainees are eligible to progress to the next skill level of Advanced Aircraft Safety Equipment Maintainer. At the completion of an additional 36 months experience at LAC Advanced Aircraft Safety Equipment Maintainer and further specialist training, the member may then, in competition, advance through the ranks to Warrant Officer.
The Aeronautical Life Support Trade comprises four skill levels intended to provide a close match between training and employment and to facilitate a progressive approach to trade training.